News and Media

American Rivers receives $1 million to Restore Rivers and Clean Water in PA and GA

Washington, DC – American Rivers today announced the receipt of a $1 million, three year grant from the Richard King Mellon Foundation to protect and restore rivers and clean water, which are vital to the health and well-being of all Americans. American Rivers is the nation’s leading voice for clean water and healthy rivers.

“We are grateful to the Richard King Mellon Foundation for its generous support of our work and for recognizing the critical importance of healthy rivers to our communities. This investment in protecting and restoring rivers will pay off many times over for generations to come,” said Bob Irvin, president of American Rivers.

The grant will allow American Rivers to target its highly effective work in western Pennsylvania to remove outdated dams and restore free-flowing rivers. The focus will be ecologically important rivers and streams in the upper Allegheny, Laurel Highlands, and southwestern Pennsylvania regions.

In Georgia, American Rivers will expand its water efficiency work to the Flint River basin. Working collaboratively with water utilities and other entities, American Rivers will use innovative solutions to protect and restore healthy natural water flows in the Flint River basin. American Rivers will also spearhead a long-term river protection strategy that ensures river health and reliable clean water supplies for surrounding communities.

“Rivers are the arteries and veins of our nation. By protecting and restoring rivers, we are safeguarding clean drinking water, creating jobs and recreation opportunities that benefit our economy, and revitalizing our natural heritage for future generations,” said Irvin.

About American Rivers

About American Rivers

American Rivers protects wild rivers, restores damaged rivers, and conserves clean water for people and nature. Since 1973, American Rivers has protected and restored more than 150,000 miles of rivers through advocacy efforts, on-the-ground projects, and the annual America’s Most Endangered Rivers® campaign. Headquartered in Washington, DC, American Rivers has offices across the country and more than 200,000 members, supporters, and volunteers.